Cap for a container

ABSTRACT

Cap for a container for a flowable composition, the cap comprising a lid ( 1 ) and a base ( 2 ) hingedly connected to one another, the lid comprising a base contact edge which contacts the base and an elastomeric pad ( 4 ) which is apart from the base contact edge.

The present invention relates to a cap for containers.

Despite the prior art there remains a need for improved consumer product packaging.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a cap for a container for a flowable composition, the cap comprising a lid and a base hingedly connected to one another, the lid comprising a base contact edge which contacts the base and an elastomeric pad which is apart from the base contact edge.

By apart from the base contact edge is meant that there is no contact at all between the two parts, i.e. that the edge of the pad does not pass to the bottom edge of the lid.

The hinge may be any hinge commonly employed in the art. Preferably, the hinge is at the opposite side of the cap to the pad.

Preferably, the pad sits in a recess on the lid. This improves the stability of the pad on the lid and reduces the chances of the pad separating from the lid during repeated use.

Preferably, the pad sits flush with the lid. This provides the consumer with the most aesthetically agreeable profile.

Preferably, the pad is of uniform depth. This improves the overall quality to the feel of the pad and also reduces the chances of the pad peeling during repeated use. By uniform is meant generally uniform in that any sprue, runner or gate through which injection moulding has occurred is not considered.

Preferably, the pad comprises an injection channel. Preferably, the pad is injection moulded and most preferably, it is injection moulded from behind, i.e. through the material making up the surround to the pad. This provides the most aesthetically pleasing pad and also reduces the chances of the pad peeling during repeated use since there is no leading edge which can be peeled thus weakening the pad as a whole.

Preferably, the lid and base comprise a rigid plastic material. Preferred rigid materials include the polyolefins, e.g. polyethylene and polypropylene. The most preferred rigid material is polypropylene.

Preferably, the rigid material is a different colour to the colour of the pad. This provides the user with a visual cue as to where to prise the lid from the base.

Preferably, the lid comprises an upper surface which is substantially circular. A substantially circular lid provides the most stable platform for the container when stood on the upper surface of the lid.

Preferably, the lid comprises an overhang. Preferably, the overhand is separate to the pad.

Preferably, an edge of the base opposite the lid is substantially circular. A substantially circular base complements the substantially circular lid and also provides the most adaptable cap during the process for capping the containers.

Preferably, the cap tapers outwardly towards an edge of the base opposite the lid. By this is meant that the edge of the upper surface of the lid falls within an imaginary cylinder defined by the edge of the base of the cap.

The taper is the most effective way of allowing for an overhang on the lid without compromising the substantially circular configuration of the base and top of the cap.

The base of the cap preferably comprises an exit orifice for egress of the material stored within the container.

The cap according to the invention is suitably attached to a container in use. The container is preferably a squeezable tube.

Preferably, the material stored in the container is a personal products composition, more preferably a cleansing composition such as a hair care product or a personal wash product. Such products tend to get wet during use and so the elastomeric pad provides a suitable grip enhancement means during use.

Preferably, the pad is made by injection moulding. More preferably, the pad is made by call-back injection moulding whereby the rigid material of the cap is first injection or compression moulded and a movable die takes the place of the pad. The movable piece then retracts to leave a gap or recess in the lid. Without the cap being removed from the mould the pad is then moulded into the space left by the movable piece.

Preferably, the injection moulding of the pad takes place through a channel in the lid. This is the preferred way of moulding an elastomeric pad in a shallow recess which has no non-flush part from where injection moulding can occur.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective drawing of a cap according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a cap according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation of a cap according to FIG. 2.

In detail, FIG. 1 shows a lid (1) and a base (2) connected to each other by a hinge (not shown). The base has an exit orifice (3) for egress of the composition stored in the container (not shown). The lid (1) has an elastomeric pad (4) for improved grip and which is designed such that it will not easily peel from the material of the lid.

FIG. 2 shows a lid (1) and a base (2) connected to each other by a hinge (6). The lid has a top surface (5) which is circular in shape.

FIG. 3 shows a lid (1) connected to a base (2) by a hinge (6) opposite to an elastomeric pad (4) which sits under an overhang (7) on the lid. The lid and base are tapered away towards the lid.

FIG. 4 shows a lid (1) and a base (2) and an elastomeric pad (4) which is a segment of a circle in shape. 

1. Cap for a container for a flowable composition, the cap comprising a lid and a base hingedly connected to one another, the lid comprising a base contact edge which contacts the base and an elastomeric pad which is apart from the base contact edge.
 2. Cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pad sits in a recess on the lid.
 3. Cap as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the pad sits flush with the lid.
 4. Cap according to any preceding claim wherein the pad is of uniform depth.
 5. Cap according to any preceding claim wherein the pad comprises an injection channel.
 6. Cap according to any preceding claim wherein the lid and base comprise a rigid plastic material.
 7. Cap according to any preceding claim wherein the lid comprises an overhang.
 8. Cap according to any preceding claim wherein the lid comprises an upper surface which is substantially circular.
 9. Cap according to any preceding claim wherein the pad is disposed opposite to the hinge on the lid.
 10. Cap according to any preceding claim wherein an edge of the base opposite the lid is substantially circular.
 11. Cap according to any preceding claim which tapers outwardly towards an edge of the base opposite the lid. 